I'm a rather experienced DarkBASIC user who is currently trying to learn new, more versatile languages. I've dabbled in everything from Python to C++ and everything in-between but haven't officially started learning much of anything from them yet. I can't decide which is better to learn.

I'm quite interested in multi-platform development, so naturally Java seems to be the better route to go, but I'm also aware that the MonoDevelop project allows .Net code to run across all platforms these days, so C# sees a safe bet as well. What's your personal opinion?

Personally, I think C# looks a little friendlier, and in Unity it makes a lot more sense for scripting, but I'm also interested in general applications as well. Should I just learn both?

C# and Java are reasonably similar and are both popular, so either would make a viable choice. If your instinct says C# looks "friendlier" you should probably just go with that, as a large part of the choice is simply personal preference. If you're interested in Unity that's obviously also a point in favour of C#.

If you're already reasonably experienced and want to make a more informed choice you could consider trying both languages to make your own comparison. Pick a few relatively simple tasks (create a window, draw a sprite on screen, read input from a file, etc.) and try to do them with both languages. You'll then have a better idea of your own personal experience and opinion with each.

Personally given the choice of those two languages I would choose C# -- a few design decisions in Java and it's accompanying libraries put me off of it a bit.

My personal choice would be C# too, but language-wise they are similar enough that learning one and you will cover 90-95% of the other. I think that the frameworks and IDEs are more important factors than language syntax in this case.

Not much point "learning" both at this point since they're so similar, i use both and like both for various tasks. The main advantage C# has for games is XNA and Unity, there just isn't any real competitors to those frameworks/engines in Java. (There are great libraries for Java aswell but they're not as easy to use imo)

I don't suffer from insanity, I'm enjoying every minute of it.The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas!

Java is more cross-platform than C#.
However you can use C# with Unity and XNA, they both increase portability, which probably is not possible through language itself.

It depends what kind of portability you're looking for. If you wish to create apps for phones you can use C++ with some library (or w/e it's called), for example Marmalade, or create own one: create small Java (Android) or Objectivec (iOS) program that would run your C++ program and there you go, it's portable (my friend does this at his work).

Well, I'm not really looking into mobile options yet (though I do plan to develop for WP8+ and Android, eventually), I was just talking about desktop platforms.

...language-wise they are similar enough that learning one and you will cover 90-95% of the other.

Yeah, I had heard this previously from other places, and sort of experienced it when I tried out coding in Java after studying C# for a day sometime ago. There were still quite a few differences, but it was just syntax - the basic structure seemed to be completely the same.

Thanks for your input, everyone! Sounds like C# is the way to go for now.

My first real language that I taught myself (other than web script languages) was C#. It's still my favorite for general purpose applications. C# isn't the best for cross-platform, but if you are mostly going to write Windows applications, C# and the .NET Framework offer you more. Finally, once you know C#, Java comes secondhand, they are *very* similar.

But its standard library uses checked exceptions, requiring you in turn to check them.

It uses both.For example:· collections use unchecked exceptions· IO classes use checked IOExceptionI think the criteria used is, in general:· when the problem arises because of a programming error an unchecked exception is thrown (for example IndexOutOfBoundsException)· when the problem is not a consequence of a programming error, but can be reasonably treated, a checked exception is thrown (for example FileNotFoundException)· when the problem is not a consequence of a programming error, but can not be reasonably treated, an Error is thrown (unchecked) (for example OutOfMemoryError)

[Java] doesn't allow co and contravariance in its generic definitions. You cannot make a generic class that supports T (and subtypes) or T (and super types). It's T or nothing.

JAVA is typeless language, thus it lucks a real pile of things. Every time I code in Java I feel like if Java was raping me. I have a big respect to people that compile functional aplications upon Java.

Interesting reads there! I have played around with both languages a bit more and have found that C# just feels better for me. I really don't know why, it just does. Java is ok, and I can definitely see using it to develop Android apps. It's not as horrid of a language as people try to make it out to be.

do not aproach C# witho out managing c++ theory. It may seem an object all things safe, but do not be fooled, the fact that compiler hides management from you may be benefitial also not. especiaily object competence. A C# ot Java progamer must now fundamentals of c++

If your interests are focused on doing more client-side development, I would go with C#. If your interests are more focused on doing more back-end server development, I would go with Java. If you go the Java route and really want to learn back-end development, then I suggest also getting dirty with Glassfish or JBoss and start absorbing Enterprise Java concepts.

do not aproach C# witho out managing c++ theory. It may seem an object all things safe, but do not be fooled, the fact that compiler hides management from you may be benefitial also not. especiaily object competence. A C# ot Java progamer must now fundamentals of c++

If you want to be really good, yes, you should learn about c++ and its type oriented meta programming model (and how it is very different from C# generics). You should also learn deep and pure functional programming, to be able to write really sharp C# code.

On the other hand, IMHO, starting out with just plain and simple C# is a much better approach to get you going.

Microsoft is letting the MonoDevelop and Mono development teams do their thing, at least for now, in my opinion. Almost everything you need to compile and run C# games cross-platform is in the MonoDevelop IDE. With it, you get much interface support for things such as sound, GUI, physics, and more.

If you can use the Visual Studio IDE and later cross-platform port the game through Mono, then that would be better long term. I believe that MS knows this and is why they let the Mono community do their thing.

Look at SharpDevelop and SharpDX, which could potentially also be ported cross-platform through Mono if you find Mono to be better for you.

The main Unity 3D/ Mono community and several sprout communities are really rockin' in C# big time, so take a look!

Energy is favoring C#, in my opinion - for learners, but Java has gigantic libraries and active cross-platform gaming communities. The growth of Apple systems could mean a big surge in Java use for games in coming years, added to other companies with tablet and mobile needs for Java games.

Do more research, please, and let us know what framework and other things which you decide to use, okay?

Clinton

Personal life and your private thoughts always effect your career. Research is the intellectual backbone of game development and the first order. Version Control is crucial for full management of applications and software. The better the workflow pipeline, then the greater the potential output for a quality game. Completing projects is the last but finest order.

I always recommend C#... Now this is just my personal opinion but I say C# > Java lol...

From what I've seen C# is faster, and I think it's a much cleaner and more elegant language. To me, writing C# almost feels like you're painting a picture or playing music -- it's like an art lol, whereas C and C++ are like running a power tool... but I've just never cared for Java.